BaIKAL mp153

[Daveo26]

Iv been reading up on the mp153, it seems a better choice than the Escort and Webley offerings.

Does anyone on here use one?

More importantly does anyone own a high milage version?

Does it cycle lighter loads? i know they have an adjustable gas port but people seem to struggle with with them after they have been adjusted, are they difficult to put back to factory settings???

I know they have a 3 1/2" chamber, so they can handle anything.

Views please gentlemen

[Wrighty112]

I had one an in less than a month traded it back in an got a Escort 3.5" Magnum.

I'm not new to semi auto gas operated weapons an played with the gas nut to light loads an It would get a stoppage all the time... Using 32g No.6 2.5" and 2 3/4" carts.... Cycled bigger shots no bother but did get one stoppage using 63g No.3 as it got jammed half in the mag tube.

 

I was told this was also a better choice than an escort but from owning both (yes for short times) I wouldn't turn back now. My escort hasn't got a gas nut to play with so less setting it up.

 

Ive fired fired 24g, 28g and 32g an works fine, however got two stoppages using 24g carts out of a box of 25. An works floorlessly with the other 2 types. I've fired around 250+ 32g No.6 2 3/4" an not missed a beat. The reason I haven't fired bigger carts is that the owners manual recommends not too untill you have fired 500+ carts of smaller weights before firing the bigger loads

 

Also the escort is lighter than the mp135.

 

Not used a webley so can't comment but I'd buy the escort over the mp153 any day.

 

On a personel note I had the baikal checked by a gun smith who said nothing was wrong with the gun and was recommended to use nothing less than 3"-3.5" carts.

Edited April 18, 2010 by Wrighty112

[Daveo26]

Cheers for that Wrighty, lets see if someone comes along to even things up.

[neil smith]

The 153 is a no frills workhorse, Vitaly Kryuchin a Russian practical shotgun team member used one to win the 2006 IPSC European Practical Shotgun Championship in the Modified Division, the event was held in Kavala, Greece, I was at the same match but shot for the UK in Standard Division.

 

here he is giving a loading demo with the gun...

 

 

In PSG we tend to use slightly heavier loads, but remember 32g loads in a gun such as this will not recoil anywhere near as harsh as they do in an O/U or S/S so fear not, your shoulder will not suffer.

 

The 153 has proven itself as a capable gun in one of the toughest competition environments, it requires 100% reliability over 1,000s of rounds of birdshot, buckshot & slug if you want to win.

 

If you buy a 3.5" chambered gun the manufacturer will build the gun with heavy shells in mind, so its unfair to expect that it will work with 21g loads.

 

It's horses for courses.

 

N

Edited April 18, 2010 by neil smith

[mudpatten]

A mate of mine has one and has used it for fowling for the last five years without any trouble. I very nearly bought one myself however, there is no drop adjustment to the stock which is quite short, fine if you don`t need it, and the pistol grip is far too small and awkwardly shaped for my hands.

 

The balance is a bit front heavy and the whole thing is a bit clunky and unrefined. Like most Russian guns it falls into the category of crude - but very effective.

 

The gas port adjustment is, as I understand it, a simple screw arrangement, my mate regularly adjusts the setting from 3.5" to 2 3/4" and back and has had no problems whatsoever.

[anser2]

I have had one for several years and never had any problems with it. Its a no frills gun , but does the job with 70mm and larger shells. Not the best gun in a pigeon hide , but as a wildfowling gun they are a very good gun. I do not use it much these days as upgraded to a Browning semi auto which is a Rolls Royce in comparison , but then has a price tag to go with it. So these days the Baikal stays in the gun cabnet most days. Thinking about selling it if anyone is interested.

[Gordon R]

Bought one at Xmas. Only put 100 shells through it. Cycles different makes - no problem. It is barrel heavy, so I placed a bit of weight inside the stock. My son and his mate said the recoil is now zero - I agree.

 

Quite well put together, 3 year guarantee - can't really fault it. My problem is - I just don't use it enough to keep.

 

Load adjustment is very simple. If you decide on one - I have a very low usage one.

Edited April 19, 2010 by Gordon R

[marky123]

I want a semi auto pigeon gun.I had a cylinder remington 1100 and couldnt hit much with it.I then had a sxs with half and three quarter choke and started to get better results.

MARK